Klarinet Archive - Posting 000023.txt from 1995/03

From: David Gilman <dagilman@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: RE>Re- Spelling
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 1995 20:44:30 -0500

> Reply to: RE>Re: Spelling
>David Gilman wrote:
>
>"The spelling I have always used for the first entry is "clarinetist." I
>believe the British preference has two t's. Just as a historical curiosity,
>there was a variant spelling of "clarinet" around the turn of the century as
>'clarionet.' Also, does anyone out there still use "hautboy" in
>place of "oboe?"
>
>I believe the term "clarionet" was originally used in reference to the
>comparison of the clarinet to the _clarion trumpet_ in the early 1700's,
>relative to its ability to produce a high penetrating sound upon the addition
>of the register hole to its design. Suddenly, the possibilities for the
>production of overtones (and therefore the widely extended range of the
>then-shaum) was opened up. There's a good amount of literature on the subject,
>none of it totally conclusive, but many scholars site the addition of the
>register key as the pivotal point at which the shaum was no longer a shaum, but
>a bona fide clarinet.
>
>As far as spelling is concerned, I believe the distinction between American vs.
>British spelling is valid. Even in the Feb '95 edition of BBC Music magazine,
>the section on new music releases has a small feature on a Mozart wind concerto
>compilation referring to Jack Brymer as a "clarinettist". I suppose they would
>use two t's even if they were referring to David Shifrin or Charles Neidich.
>
>Is "Hautboy" a real word? I'm familiar with "Hautbois" (pronounced "oh -
>bwah"), wherein "haut" means "high" and "bois" means "wood". Thus, "high
>wood".
>
>Neil
>
>
Neil,
Yes, "hautboy" is a real English word. I found it in one of
Webster's unabridged dictionaries some years ago. The pronunciation was
listed as either [ho-boy] or [ho-bwa]; I don't remember which exactly.
"Hautbois" would be the French cognate, with the 'h' silent.

As for "clarionet," the instrument referred to in the 1908 Sears
Catalogue was definitely a clarinet, not a small trumpet. [There were
pictures.] As I recall, several models were offered, the best of which had
about 13 keys. [Albert system?!?] BTW, don't "clarinet" and "clarionet"
both derive from "clarino," meaning "small trumpet" in Italian? I believe
both variants have the same root. If anyone has different info, please let
me know.

David Gilman